Celebrating Irish Craft Heroes
An exhibition of Irish Craft Heroes is taking place in Belfast’s Botanic Gardens during August Craft Month.
The outdoor panel trail celebrates craftspeople and makers from Ireland and shines a light on how their outstanding work has enhanced Irish craft and design traditions.
The exhibition charts the evolution of the craft and design sector in Ireland over the last 50 years and pays tribute to the many makers whose work has a significant legacy.
Irish Craft Heroes at Botanic Gardens is a free exhibition which takes place throughout August Craft Month and continues until November 7 as part of the 60th Belfast International Arts Festival.
This year’s August Craft Month includes over 200 eclectic events after Craft NI, Design & Crafts Council Ireland and Cork Craft & Design collaborated to bring the popular showcase to both sides of the border.
After a call from Design & Crafts Council Ireland for the public to nominate an Irish Craft Hero, whose work has had a major impact on the sector during the past 50 years, over 600 nominations were received. An expert committee was then convened to draw up a final list of 50 makers.
The outdoor panel trail launched in Kilkenny Castle in 2021, to coincide with Design & Crafts Council Ireland’s 50th Anniversary since its establishment in 1971. It then toured to Dublin Castle in Autumn 2021, and Galway and Cork in 2022, and is now in Belfast.
Irish Craft Heroes is presented by Belfast International Arts Festival and Craft NI, curated by Design & Crafts Council Ireland and supported by National Museums NI.
Meanwhile, to accompany the outdoor trail at Botanic Gardens, Craft NI is showing a capsule exhibition of work from the Northern Ireland-based Heroes until November 7 at the Craft NI Gallery on Royal Avenue, Belfast.
The exhibition showcases the work of makers: Seliena Coyle, Jack Doherty, Sara Flynn, Bob Johnston, Alison Lowry, Michael McCrory, Peter Meanley and Cara Murphy.
Also, in Belfast this month and in conjunction with National Museums NI, the Craft at the Museum Series continues.
On Tuesday August 16 (1-2pm), the Contemporary Glass Collection Tour takes place.
The free Contemporary Glass Collection Tour is in the Applied Art Gallery at the Ulster Museum and hosted by Kim Mawhinney, Senior Curator of Art, National Museums NI.
In this United Nations International Year of Glass 2022, learn how the Ulster Museum has one of the most important collections of international glass in Europe. Explore the different techniques used by glassmakers to create these most amazing artworks.
On Tuesday August 23 (1-2pm) the Contemporary Ceramics Collection Tour takes place in the Applied Art Gallery at the Ulster Museum.
For over 45 years the Ulster Museum has been collecting contemporary ceramics by some of the most important international makers. Come along to hear about how clay can be transformed by these ceramic artists into the most beautiful and intriguing artworks.
To get involved and show your support for the local craft sector this August Craft Month, plan your celebrations by visiting www.craftni.org/august-craft-month-events-2022/
For the full August Craft Month programme, showcasing events taking place across the island, visit www.augustcraftmonth.org
Share your own craft adventures by tagging @craft.ni @augustcraftmonth22 #augustcraftmonth2022
Discover more from LoveBelfast
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.